NHMC Cadwell Stages Rally – CRC Round 2

The Protyre Circuit Rally Championship (CRC) kicked off with Round 1 at Oulton Park on the 1st of November 2025. We pick up the rallying at round 2 at the picturesque Cadwell Park. The North Humberside Motor Club was running Sunday’s single-day event.

This was to be the last motorsports event of the year at Cadwell, the NHMC Cadwell Stages 2025. Always well supported by the rally community, not only were there nearly 100 cars but the fans had turned out in force as well.

U.K. Circuit Rally Championship

If you are not up to speed on the CRC and the NHMC Cadwell Stages 2025 here is a bit of background knowledge. The CRC was established in 2015 to bring rallying to circuit-based venues across the United Kingdom. Unlike traditional forest rallies, the CRC focuses on closed-circuit tarmac stages. This offers a unique rallying experience that blends high-speed racing with technical driving challenges. 

Circuit Layout

Some of those challenges incorporate tight turns and chicanes which we have come to expect in the CRC. The stages, which there are eight, run as pairs and use all of the available space at a circuit. Directions and layouts are changed after a pair of stages are completed. However, some of these changes to the layout were in my opinion a bit harsh, especially when very large tyres were used. 

There have always been obstacles in rallies, trees mostly, but these are easy to see. Tyres placed individually to protect the grass or as obstacles are difficult to see from behind the wheel. Unlike trees, large tractor-type tyres will launch a car when used individually, especially on the inside of corners. I witnessed this at a few locations and saw the aftermath of car 4 after it rolled. Hopefully, the NHMC will reconsider the use of these, especially considering the subsequent damage, repair costs, and more importantly, the safety of the crews. Grass grows back.

As we all know, motorsport is dangerous, and to sanitise the sport too much would be detrimental. The series has flourished over the years, becoming a staple in the British motorsport calendar. Mostly because it’s exciting to watch and very accessible, especially for the spectator and photographer. But there has to be a better way to quickly rearrange obstacles that are safe. Cones work but can be moved out of the way, giving an advantage to following cars. Equally, tyres can move; when they do and end up on the racing line, is this a disadvantage to the following cars? 

U.K. Circuit Rally Championship Champions 

As a spectator and photographer, I like to know who is who when I visit an event. Therefore, I will do a bit of research before attending an event, just so I know who will be the front runners mainly. Since its inception, the CRC has seen an impressive roster of competitors, from seasoned rally veterans to emerging talents. 

Last year’s winners at the NHMC Cadwell Stages were John Griffiths and Emma Morrison in a Skoda Fabia R5. They were quite rightly sporting the number one plate. Winning the Championship in the previous two seasons, #2 Michael Igoe with co-driver Will Atkins has been dominant in the CRC. Driving a Ford Fiesta R5, or as of the 23/24 season, they moved over to a Citroen C3 Rally 2, which they are competing in this year. 

Storm Stacey and Larry Carter

At the NHMC Cadwell Stages 2025 there were a few interesting wild cards out on track. From the world of two wheels Storm Stacey and Larry Carter were competing. Storm is a British Superbike rider racing at the highest level of U.K. motorcycling. Larry is a an ex racer sometime rally driver but is better known now as a motorsport commentator.

Stacey, who finished tenth in this year’s Bennetts BSB standings aboard the Bathams AJN Racing BMW, was at the wheel of his WB Motorsport-prepared 1600cc Ford Fiesta R2. Larry  Carter, an experienced rally and race driver was competing in his Cartersport Motorsport Media-entered 1600cc Peugeot 206 Super Cup car.

They had a private battle that had originated within the BSB pit lane after a bit of banter about who was the fastest. A bet was laid with the looser donating to charity. MIND who help people with mental health problems was the benefactor of Storm and Larrys battle. At the end of eight stages Storm was victorious and to cap off a great days racing for the two wheel star he was 16th overall and won this class as well! Larry Carter came in 43rd overall and was 6th in the same class as Storm.

Larry Carter summed up the duel:

“Well, that was the day that was… After a titanic battle all day, I had to give second best to this young whippersnapper at todays Cadwell Park Rally. Joking apart, I didn’t have the best of runs today with a couple of issues but fair play to Storm ‘Lord’ Stacey, he was on a mission and seriously kicked my butt. To finish 16th overall and win his class by over 30 seconds in that quality field is seriously impressive and as a result, I shall be making a donation to MIND as agreed. We had a good laugh, and thanks to the hundreds of people who turned out to support us”!

NHMC Cadwell Stages 2025 Results Detailed Results Here

1. Michael Igoe/Will Atkins, Citroën C3 Rally2, 41m39s
2. John Griffiths/Emma Morrison, Skoda Fabia R5, +4s
3. John Stone/Alex Stone, Volkswagen Polo GTI R5, +1m31s
4. Joshua Davey/Tamsyn Davey. Darrian T90, +2m23s
5. Alfie Threlfall/Patrick Cross, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, +2m51s
6. Mark Gellatly/Harriet Worth, Citroën C3 Rally2, +3m29s
7. Bradley Carroll/Pila Unum, Ford Escort MK2, +3m48s
8. Stephen Sawley/Rob Johnson, Ford Escort MK2, +4m25s
9. Joseph Duffy/Daniel Duffy, Lotus Elise, +4m39s
10. Gary Carver/Ann Dixon, Mitsubishi Colt Turbo 4WD, +4m57s

Photographic Post Script.

PistonClick had four photographers at the NHMC Cadwell Stages 2025. We met up at Park Corner for a natter and to photograph the cars for stage one and two. This would be the only time that the rally cars would be going the “wrong” way round the top end of the track. We took this opportunity to shoot the cars head on with no safety fences.

The stage maps are sometimes available online so you can get a heads up on where the cars are going to be on the different stages. The maps are also reproduced in the event program. I would advise studying the stage maps as not all of the track is used and the direction of travel can catch you out. Been there done that! 

Moving down to the paddock, the Mountain and Hall Bends we dispersed to get as many different shots as possible. Cadwell is not the biggest track so it was inevitable that we congregated at the best spots for taking motorsport images at Cadwell. 

At the bottom of the Mountain three of us captured Tom Stockdale and Neil Chambers in the BMW Compact 3V6.

Stockdale’s dramatic retirement and subsequent dump of fluids from the BMW left the track somewhat slippery. 

Camera Equipment

For this exercise I used the Nikon D500 with a standard 70-200mm 2.8 motorsport lens. This setup works well for cars at Cadwell. Add in a 1.4 teleconverter and a 300mm f4 and you can cover most of the locations the CRC will use. 

The next round of the CRC will be the TEGIWA Donington Rally. The team will be there on the 30th November to capture the action. The rally series will be visiting Brands, Snetterton, Trac Mon Anglesey and Cadwell again for the final round in 2026.

David Harbey Photographers notes – 2025 Cadwell Stages

The Circuit Rally Championship visits Cadwell Park twice each year, yet it is to my shame that I only seem to get there for an event every couple of years. It’s where I first met Tony from PistonClick and is probably the best circuit rally venue. Although I have yet to get to Anglesey or Oulton Park for a rally.

Perhaps the 260 miles, 5 hours round trip is what puts me off. Yet, within half an hour of arriving at Cadwell and getting myself down to Hall Bends. The Stage was being run backwards and on a distinctly damp track. I was soon reminded why it’s a great track for a circuit rally.

There’s rally cars coming out of the Hairpin with a dap of oppo, appearing over the crest or enabling slow shutter speed panning shots all giving the sense that you can reach out and touch the cars. No its not classic Belgian tarmac or iconic British forests. However, it is accessible to snappers and spectators alike and definitely not an easy option for the competitors.

Later in the day, having been sustained by the café’s lasagne and chips – which for those who are interested – just shaded those served at Snetterton, it was down to the Mountain – for a panning banked left or a head on shot by the pit lane entry. The latter was used as part of the stage and, again, felt close enough to reach out and touch the cars.

Camera Equipment

I used the Nikon D850 plus Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 zoom all day. Occasionally using my Nikon 1.7x teleconverter for a little extra reach.

Somewhat frustratingly, the final round of the Circuit Rally Championship is the same day as the opening round of the British Hillclimb Championship at Prescott – choices, choices, eh ?

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